EPIC 2025: Full Schedule

PD For Teachers, By Teachers. A collaborative partnership of East Central, Hinckley-Finlayson, Mora, and Pine City Schools.

Add sessions to your personal schedule to register your attendance (Check-In).

10:00am CST

What's New Google?

Monday January 20, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CST

1116 (Choir)

Google is constantly updating its Workspace for Education Apps and features. In this session Jeremy will share new tips and ideas for using Google Slides, Docs, Forms, Chrome, Sheets, Classroom, and Gemini AI. Bring your device to try out these great tips and tricks! (Bring your device to actively participate)

Speakers

Jeremy Mikla

Instructional Technology Specialist, ECMECC

Jeremy joined ECMECC in the summer of 2021 as the Instructional Technology Specialist. He is an experienced education leader with over two decades as a Social Studies teacher and Technology Integration Specialist. Jeremy firmly believes in equipping students with the knowledge and... Read More →

Monday January 20, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CST
1116 (Choir)

Technology Integration, Optional Relicensure

11:00am CST

Cybersecurity for Teachers & Students

Monday January 20, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CST

2203

Everyone is online today, using the internet for education, social media, and more. While technology helps us connect and collaborate, some people want to steal your information or cause trouble. In this session, we'll cover simple steps to keep your information and identity safe. Cybersecurity is a crucial skill in the digital world, especially for you and your students.

Speakers

Bill Groskreutz

Director of Technology, Math Teacher, East Central Schools

I have been the Director of Technology for East Central Schools since 2012. I also coach Track (since 2007, head coach starting in 2008) and Cross Country (head coach starting in 2008). My licensure is in Math.

Monday January 20, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CST
2203

Technology Integration, Cybersecurity

11:00am CST

Pear Deck-ify Your Lessons—Formative Assessments Made Easy!

Monday January 20, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CST

2204

Interested in receiving feedback from EVERY student in your class without having to grade assessments or cold call during lessons? In this beginner level session, you will learn the what, how, and WHY of Pear Deck (a rockstar formative assessment tool). Dedicated work time will be provided to amp up a lesson or two by adding in formative assessment slides that provide almost immediate feedback from students.

Speakers

Katelyn Vickers Hager

English Language Arts, Mora Schools

7-12 ELA Teacher. Passionate about developing standards-based lessons that provide clear data on student comprehension.

Monday January 20, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CST
2204

Technology Integration, Optional Relicensure

11:00am CST

Strategies for Effective AI Prompts in Education

Monday January 20, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CST

1116 (Choir)

Discover and Practice Effective AI Prompting Strategies; Discuss AI Prompting Best Practices; Explore Advanced AI Prompting Technique (Bring your device to actively participate)

Speakers

Jeremy Mikla

Instructional Technology Specialist, ECMECC

Monday January 20, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CST
1116 (Choir)

Technology Integration, Optional Relicensure

1:00pm CST

Gmail Tips to Get to Inbox Zero

Monday January 20, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST

2207

This session will focus on using the tools available in Gmail to help manage your inbox with the goal of getting to (or closer to) Inbox Zero. We will learn about labels, filtering, priority inboxes, and more.

Speakers

Amanda Thompson

Teacher, East Central Schools

I am a math teacher at East Central Schools.

Monday January 20, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST
2207

Technology Integration, Optional Relicensure

1:00pm CST

Today’s AI in Education - Responsible and Ethical use of AI in Education

Monday January 20, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST

1116 (Choir)

This session addresses many of the responsible and ethical uses of AI by educators and students. Bring your device, we will have some hands-on activities, and attendees will leave with several resources to explore after the session. (Bring your device to actively participate)

Discuss responsible and ethical uses and limitations of AI in Education
Explore AI Resources and Applications

Speakers

Jeremy Mikla

Instructional Technology Specialist, ECMECC

Monday January 20, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST
1116 (Choir)

Technology Integration, Optional Relicensure

1:00pm CST

Vex Robotics and Coding

Monday January 20, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST

1211

This session will introduce the Vex Robotics coding sets. It is a variation of the Lego robotics and has levels for every grade.

Speakers

Pete Balmer

Teacher, Mora Schools

This is my 21st year teaching and 9th teaching computer at Mora Elementary. I have introduced coding and other small forms of robotics: Legos, Ozobots and now Vex. Along with teaching I coach boys and girls tennis along with boys basketball. I have three boys and in my free time... Read More →

Monday January 20, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST
1211

Technology Integration, Optional Relicensure